Citrix have released 1 day earlier XenClient 2.1 for web, i predicted earlier in an article that Citrix would release it in December 2011, but it was close and X-mas is soon.
I am going to update my Lenovo to XenClient 2.1 from 2.0. I have been using XenClient since it was released as a technical preview, and i can recommend that you start trying and using it.

What’s new in XenClient 2.1? 

• SIMPLIFIED WINDOWS IMAGE MANAGEMENT with dynamic layering provides an easier, more reliable, and more cost effective way of managing system updates with minimal impact to end users and more control and agility for IT. Today, IT managers typically deploy an initial Windows image to employees who then often add their own applications and changes. This causes a mismatch from the originally deployed IT image and can introduce application conflicts and system incompatibilities which may lead to increased costs by triggering more helpdesk calls. The new dynamic layering feature in XenClient changes this paradigm by ensuring that IT defined images are enforced on a continual basis. This can greatly reduce helpdesk break/fix calls. With this new feature, an IT admin can now simply apply the changes they want to a single image in the datacenter and have it automatically sent out to their XenClient devices. This feature also reduces the risk of making changes to the desktop environment. If there are problems with an update, the dynamic Image Management capability can simply undo the change – something difficult to do today in traditional environments. This feature can also decrease disruptions and performance degradations to users during updates. Rather than experiencing an often lengthy local install process, changes are downloaded in the background and applied to the user’s system in the time it takes to reboot Windows.

• XENCLIENT IS NOW LOCALIZED which allows end users around the globe to experience a more engaging and familiar experience when using the product. This release introduces client side support for German, French, Spanish, Japanese and Simplified Chinese languages.  Citrix has seen tremendous traction with XenClient in international markets and this reaffirms our commitment to delivering capabilities our customers require to expand their use of the solution on a global basis

• XENCLIENT XT GOES MOBILE which extends the extreme security, isolation, and performance benefits of the XT edition of XenClient to laptop systems. The first release of XenClient XT was designed to deliver unmatched isolation on desktop systems for multi-level security use cases. This release extends those capabilities to laptops to allow untethered use of XenClient XT in both secure campus and in field environments.

• DYNAMIC IMAGE ASSEMBLY allows the Synchronizer for XenClient to deliver a layered image that is dynamically assembled at runtime on a local XenClient system. This technology allows for single image management in the datacenter of a dynamic local virtual desktop running on many XenClient systems

• DELTA IMAGE UPDATES allows the Synchronizer for XenClient to intelligently delver only the changes between Windows image versions to a XenClient system. This system also allows administrators to roll forward multiple versions at a time. This ensures that dynamic local virtual desktops on XenClient endpoints are moved to the latest administrator defined Windows desktop automatically and efficiently.

• FAST SYSTEM UPDATES allows for minimal end user downtime when updating dynamic Windows images. Updates are transferred in the background to XenClient systems via the Synchronizer for XenClient. Once the update has been delivered locally, the next time the end user starts up their system they are instantly moved to the latest version of the IT delivered Windows image. Even large changes such as new Microsoft Office versions or Windows service packs are applied in the time it takes to restart Windows, giving users immediate productivity.

• AUTOMATIC IMAGE LOCKDOWN will ensure that only IT approved changes and IT approved applications are installed on a dynamic local virtual desktop image running on XenClient. User changes outside of their user data and user profile are automatically purged by the system ensuring a clean, consistent environment on every boot.

• WINDOWS IMAGE ROLLBACK enables the undo button for Windows. This capability allows administrators to roll-back to a previous version of a Windows image in the time it takes to restart Windows. This reduces the risk of making changes to an environment as they can easily be rolled back.

• SELF-SERVICE INSTALL allows end users the flexibility to customize their environments by installing IT approved applications via Citrix Receiver for Windows. Citrix Receiver provides users with an integrated, easy-to-use storefront for Windows, web and SaaS applications.

• ENHANCED RELIABILITY through fixes and improvements for a number of issues identified after the original release such as 3D graphics stability, virtualized USB support, enhanced handling of multi-partition Windows images by the Synchronizer, and support for connecting Synchronizer to Active Directory systems with non-standard OU structures.

XenClient XT 2.1 

As a reminder XenClient XT is an edition of XenClient specifically designed for enabling multi-level, secure local virtual desktops. It was built to meet the most extreme isolation, security, and performance requirements for local virtual desktops in public sector customer environments.

• XENCLIENT XT REFRESHED to the XenClient 2 code base which allows this edition of XenClient to inherit the many enhancements delivered by XenClient 2. This includes a revamped and simplified user experience, larger VM memory support, and additional hardware support for Intel’s latest generation Core vPro platform on both laptops and desktops.
• MULTIPLE MONITORS AND GPUS allows XenClient XT to run multiple Windows local virtual desktops each with their own dedicated graphics adapters and monitors with native 3D graphics performance. An innovative seamless mouse system provides a simple user experience where a simple mouse movement to the edge of the monitor securely remaps the keyboard and mouse to neighboring monitors and local virtual desktops.

XT is not available yet.

Source

Download Citrix XenClient 2.1 here
Download Citrix XenClient 2.1 Synchronizer  here 

Citrix have released final version of XenClient 2.

XenClient 2 extends the performance, flexibility and security of desktop virtualization to mobile users—and even lets them run multiple virtual desktops on a single laptop—while providing effective control for IT over data protection and desktop image management.

Let’s first start with the new capabilities at a high level for XenClient 2 and then below I’ll dig into the details on what’s new since v1:

• EXPANDED HARDWARE COMPATABILITY, NOW RUNABLE ON 45 MILLION SYSTEMS.XenClient 2 will run on 3x as many systems as the first release by introducing support for Intel’s 2^ndGeneration Core vPro platform, adding support for additional PC systems plus expanded coverage to workstation and non-vPro value enterprise class systems. The hardware compatibility delivered in the XenClient 2 expands on XenClient’s previous ability to run on 15 million systems
• PRODUCTION SCALE SYNCHRONIZER that enables customers to deploy Synchronizer for XenClient for centralized deployment and management of XenClient in larger and more complex environments with enhanced levels of scalability, more detailed environment reporting, optimized transfers and backups along with support for complex active directory environments.
• SIMPLIFIED USER EXPERIENCE that enables increased adoption of XenClient by non-technical users. A revamp of the Citrix Receiver for XenClient user interface has produced a simpler, more responsive, and more intuitive user interface. Additional XenClient platform capabilities now allow a more native user experience with a set of features that allow XenClient to stay hidden during normal use of Windows virtual machines.

Citrix is have released a technical preview of the next version of Citrix Reciever 3.0 for Windows.

Citrix Synergy is helding these days and on Wednesday all the great new technologies from Citrix will be announced.

Receiver 3.0 will dramatic improve the user experience, look out for features like Session Pre Launch, Multi-stream ICA, Multiple audio device redirection and New Single Sign-On Plug-in

Citrix have posted an official Compatibility Guide for XenClient.

Introduction

With the release of XenClient 1.0 SP1, Citrix and their partners identified a few platform features that are not yet supported. Citrix will work with the partners to address those missing features in future releases. The intent of this compatibility guide document is to highlight those features.

Get an overview of following:

1. Unsupported Features in XenClient 1.0 SP1,
2. OEM Feature Compatibility

• HP and Citrix XenClient
• Supported HP value-add software
• Unsupported HP value-add software
• Dell and Citrix XenClient
• Unsupported Dell features

Download Citrix XenClient Compatibilty Guide here

Fred Donovan from Citrix have updated the whitepaper - Communication Ports Used by Citrix Technologies to version 1.5 (April 2011)

Overview

This document provides an overview of ports that are used by Citrix components and must be considered as part of Virtual Computing architecture, especially if communication traffic traverses network components such as firewalls or proxy servers, where ports must be opened to ensure communication flow.

References

The assignments are listed by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), updated regularly, and revised when new information is available and new assignments are made. The specific location of the port numbers list is available at the following Web site: http://www.iana.org/assignments/port-numbers.

Microsoft Article “Network Ports Used by Key Microsoft Server Products”.

Microsoft Article ID 832017 “Service overview and network port requirements for the Windows Server system”.

Download WhitePaper - Communication Ports Used by Citrix Technologies here

22 Tips and Tricks for XenClient. *updated 31-03-2011
/Enjoy

1. ctrl+0, ctrl+1, ctrl+2, etc: switch to xenclient, vm1, vm2, etc…
2. ctrl+shift+t: launches a terminal window – necessary for troubleshooting ip address and network
3. alt-tab: rotate between xenclient and terminal windows
4. status-tool: run this command from the terminal window to gather stats – including screenshots – stored in /storage/status-report
5. ifconfig brbridged: run this command to show the ip address for dom0 – physical adapter
6. ifconfig wlan0: run this command to show the ip address for dom0 – wireless adapter
7. xentop: run this command from the terminal window to view performance data
8. vhd-util: run this command from the terminal window to change/check vhd
9. xec: run this command from the terminal window to control vm’s
10. touch /config/ssh_enabled: run this command to enable SSH on the XC Management Console – if not already installed
11. ctrl+q: refresh hypervisor
12. dmesg: show debug messages
13. disktovhd: use this on old pc to make a vhd of your pc or laptop. Create new VM, replace .vhd in /storage/disks. Install XenTools.
14. copy .iso to /storage/iso: mount the .iso in the virtual drive that normally mounts XenTools. Or use Virtual Clone Drive
15. Enable SSH on the Management Console:
    Open the terminal on the console, press: ctrl+shift+t
    In the terminal type: touch /config/ssh_enabled
    IMPORTANT: In the RC there is NO ROOT PASSWORD… Enabling this is on your own risk!!!
    Press ctrl+q to refresh hypervisor
    Find the SSH Interfaces IP Address:
    1) Open the console window once again
    2) type ‘ifconfig | less’
    3) brbridged is the console’s listening IP
16. Find full or half duplex speed for network
    # dmesg | grep -i duplex
17. See performance data
    # xentop
18. Copy your existing laptop or pc to XenClient
    Use disktovhd to make a vhd image of your pc or laptop. Create new VM, replace .vhd in /storage/disks. After that you need to install XenTools and also the appropriate drivers.
19. Mounting an ISO to VM
    Copy the iso using WINSCP to /storage/iso .Push ctrl + q to refresh XenClient. Mount the .iso in the virtual drive that normally mounts the XenTools
20. Soundcard not recognized in VM
    Install Realtek 97 Audio Driver
    http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/downloadsCheck.aspx?Langid=1&PNid=23&PFid=23&Level=4&Conn=3&DownTypeID=3&GetDown=false
21. Usb devices like fingerprint, bluetooth, webcam are not mapped in VM
    Go out in Dom0, edit the virtual machine. Under USB add the devices that you want to add to the VM.
22. How to Install a Wifi Certificate in XenClient
    Use the following steps to complete the task:  Check CTX127333

    Copy the certificate using a program like WinSCP from Windows machine or SCP from Linux/Unix machine.

    Log on by pressing Ctrl+Shift+T within the XenClient Receiver and using the root password.

    Copy the certificate from dom0 to the service virtual machine by running the following command:
    scpv4v <certificate> 1.0.0.1:/root”
    (Make sure you cd to the directory where you copied the certificate in step1.)

    From the Network icon in the Receiver, the certificate should be available to make the connection.

Douglas Brown (http://www.daabc.com) have released this cool “Official Guide to XenClient Service Pack 1 – Reference Design, Best Practise” Whitepaper. He have created the document combined with his own experience and with Citrix XenClient employees.

Douglas Brown tells bellowed why he created the guide and what value it can give to you:

Welcome to version 1.0 of the Official Guide to Citrix XenClient: Reference Design, Best Practices, and Additional Resources Guide.

The first thing you need to understand about this guide and XenClient is they are both 1.0 and Citrix has been very clear in their statements and positing that XenClient 1.0 Service Pack 1 is geared toward test, evaluation, pilots, and proof of concepts. The goal is for you to get familiar with what this technology can do for you and your organization. In keeping with that goal the design, best practices, and additional resources found in this guide are limited to this scope. In the future, this guide will be upgraded as Citrix releases future versions.

My goal for this guide is to provide you with the knowledge required to understand the architectural requirements and configuration best practices to successfully deploy and evaluate the new Citrix XenClient 1.0 Service Pack 1 client virtualization solution. This includes design requirements, best practices, and links to additional resources.

I‟ve also tried to organize this guide keeping as close as possible with the same flow a Citrix XenClient deployment would follow. However, this guide does not include step-by-step instructions, yet. In version 1.0 of this guide, I‟m not trying to recreate the wheel by reproducing a lot of content that is easily available in other locations in order to deliver this guide to you quicker. In future releases these sections will be „built out‟ to provide more comprehensive instructions and resources.

To me, client-side hypervisors are the future! I‟m excited and I hope this guide will help you to get to know what a technology such as XenClient can do for you! This is amazing stuff and brings the power and promise of virtualization to the end-points, something we seem to forget when talking about VDI and other related technologies. This guide is truly a labor of love so expect more and more of it

Download the The Official Guide to Citrix XenClient 1.0 Service Pack 1 Best Practices here

I have noticed today that Citrix have updated their webpage, and i noticed a cool new Citrix Advertise “Work on anywhere, On any device, thats the power of virtual computing” yes this is the topics we se over and over at the Citrix Synergy events ;o).

I recommend you look at this cool webpage, where Citrix explains what Virtual Computing, Virtual Desktop, High-Definition Desktop, Virtual Servers and Networking means to them and how Citrix can solve these things.

look more at http://simplicityispower.citrix.com/

Derek Thorslund (Principal Product Strategist HDX) from Citrix and his team are doing alot of effort of informing, what HDX is, which component it consists of and how do you configure the HDX components or even optimize them. To get a great overview look at http://hdx.citrix.com/hdx-internals. Here you can learn about the different HDX components like:

If you want to come more under the hood of HDX, look at “HDX Internals – Knowledge Base Articles” which is defined in bellowed topics and articles. Click here to find out more about bellowed

I have noticed that Citrix have created a new portal where you can try all Citrix products in a trial periode, which is GREAT stuff

I have attached the bellowed schema, so you can see which products that you can try out.
Go Ahead try Citrix if you havent done it yet.